15/10/2025
Today sees the return of Sumo at the Royal Albert Hall 🇯🇵
For The Retrospectors, I’ve been learning about the 1st tournament staged there - on 9th October, 1991.
It was the largest ever outside Japan, featuring around 40 wrestlers, described by The Guardian (of all papers!) as “bouncing like fat Buddhas,” thundering across the ring.
The ring was made of clay sourced from a field near Heathrow.
A Shinto-style canopy was shipped over, and reinforced hotels were arranged for the athletes, complete with detachable showers, reinforced beds, and double-sized meals.
Demand for tickets was sky-high, thanks to Channel 4’s cult Friday night sumo broadcasts. I don’t remember these being on, but it was the same slot that would eventually be given over to TFI Friday, so obviously quite a big deal…
The lineup featured stars with nicknames like “The Killer Whale,” “The Plum,” and the 37-stone “Dump Truck,” Konishiki Yasokichi.
The event was part of the grand Japan Festival – a four-month cultural takeover marking 100 years of the Japan Society, including kabuki at the National Theatre and Buddhist sculptures at the British Museum. The kind of coverage arts institutions still dream of!
Discover more in our episode - link in the Comments 👇
